Nominate a Business
The Zero Barriers Business Excellence Awards recognise the outstanding commitment of businesses and services to remove barriers for people with disability when shopping, using services or participating in activities in their local communities. Businesses and services can self-nominate or be nominated by a customer or client using the Zero Barriers Nomination form.
There are 8 awards across 4 categories. Each category and award is explained below.
Overall, businesses, services or organisations must:
- Demonstrate a commitment to creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for people with disability
- Demonstrate how the business is adopting inclusive practices and/or improved staff attitudes that go beyond regulatory compliance
- Cannot be a NDIS provider or government facility
ABOUT THE AWARDS
Nominations close (extended):
5.00pm May 19th 26th, 2023
Late nominations will not be accepted.
Awards ceremony:
6.00pm Tuesday June 6th, 2023
Social Access and Inclusion Awards
– Inclusive Service Provision
This award recognises businesses/services that are providing consciously inclusive service to make customers/clients with a disability feel welcome. Examples include speaking directly to the person with a disability, communicating with respect and patience, providing disability awareness training for staff.
-Creative adjustments
This award recognises businesses/services that have made adjustments to enhance accessibility and inclusion for customers/clients with a disability. Examples include doorbell for outdoor service, portable basins for hairdressing, provision of neck cushions at beauty salons etc.
Physical Access and Inclusion Awards
-Inclusive physical and sensory environment
This award recognises businesses/services that have made adjustments to their physical and sensory environment to make it more disability-friendly and inclusive. Examples include wider aisles, accessible seating arrangements, ‘quiet hour’, fluorescent lights replaced with natural, filtered lighting etc.
-Accessible premises and amenities
This award recognises businesses/services that have made adjustments to their premises to improve access for people with disability, and/or have made available accessible bathrooms and parking. Examples include unobstructed entrances/doorways, handrails, portable ramps etc.
Communication and Marketing Award
This award recognises businesses/services that have adapted their communication and marketing strategies and materials to enhance accessibility and inclusion for people with disability. Examples include clear, easy-read signage and menus, pen and paper at counter for communication, inclusive communication technologies such as accessibility plugin for website.
Inclusive Employer Award
This award recognises businesses/services that have employed people with a disability and adopted fair and accessible practices to create a safe and inclusive work environment. Examples include Job Access training undertaken by employer/staff, physical adjustments such as ergonomic furniture and fittings, installing assistive technologies etc.
Metro Council Award
This award recognises an overall champion of excellence in accessible and inclusive practices by a business/service in one of the Zero Barriers metro partner council LGAs.
Regional Council Award
This award recognises an overall champion of excellence in accessible and inclusive practices by a business/service in one of the Zero Barriers regional partner council LGAs.